Dr. Angela Bross, DVM, MBA, CVA, CVTP, CVMMP, and the owner of Joy-Chi Veterinary Acupuncture in Hampton, Virginia, has been interested in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine since before she got into medical school. While she was working toward her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Cornell University, she found that between her studies and working a number of different jobs, she was always exhausted, and no one could figure out why. In her quest to find relief, she went to see an acupuncturist and, in spite of everything Bross had going on at the time, the treatments gave her more energy.

“Because it worked so well, when I was working at the vet school at Cornell, there was an instructor there doing acupuncture on large animals at that time,” said Bross. “I got to see how that worked and ever since I’ve been really interested. It helped me with my tunnel vision to get into and through veterinary school, and when I was in my clinical rotations, I took two acupuncture rotations. As soon as I graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, I started taking a course at the Chi Institute.”

The Chi Institute, or Chi University as it is now called, was founded in 1998 by Dr. Huisheng Xie. Since its founding, the institute has trained more than 9,000 veterinarians from 75 countries and regions in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) and other integrative and holistic modalities.

TCVM consists of acupuncture, food therapy, Chinese herbal medicines, and Tui-na massage, as well as exercise. In addition to those services, Joy-Chi also offers veterinary medical manipulation (which can be thought of as similar to chiropractic service, but for pets), and laser and ozone therapy. More recently, Bross also added plasma therapy to her repertoire, which is very similar to laser therapy, but it seems to be even more effective with wounds, skin issues, and pain (although she still uses both modalities). Plasma therapy originated in South Korea, and Bross is one of the few practices in the United States who has the machine. Bross also specializes in hospice and palliative care for her geriatric patients, which are primarily dogs and cats.

Bross opened her own practice, Joy-Chi Veterinary Acupuncture, in 2010. In December 2017, Bross became a Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner (CVMMP) through the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute. She continues to further her studies by pursuing the highest level of certification available: Certified Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Practitioner and Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.

Why should you consider Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine for your pet?

“Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine picks up where general veterinary medicine leaves off, meaning we can only go so far with pain medications, then there’s nowhere else to go,” said Bross. “TCVM takes up some of the slack from that and it also treats different problems. In addition to arthritis, I can treat congestive heart failure, this can help with palliative and cancer patients, it can help with digestive issues, and I get a lot of clients who are just interested in a more natural approach to their pet’s health and welfare.”

Bross is an integrated veterinarian who still practices general medicine, so is currently available only four days a week for her TCVM patients. For those in southeastern Virginia or northeastern North Carolina who are interested in finding out more about her practice, or to set up an initial consultation, visit her website. The initial consultation will allow her to assess a client’s pet’s condition, listen to the client’s expectations, then develop a customized treatment plan based on all of the different options available.

For those who are not in the Coastal Virginia area but who are interested in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine for your pet, visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) vet finder page, or do a web search for “Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine near me.”